Reports out of the Midlands suggested that Sherwood had agreed personal terms but was holding up the deal over those offered to his preferred assistants Les Ferdinand and Chris Ramsey.

West Brom would not confirm any details of the process but remain hopeful of naming their man in a matter of days.

The Baggies are eager for a period of stability after parting ways with two head coaches last season, first Steve Clarke and then Mel, who was just four months into an 18-month deal.

When Mel left the club shortly after Premier League survival was assured in May, sporting and technical director Richard Garlick insisted the Spaniard's replacement would be expected to work with "the structure we have had in place for six years and are presently strengthening."

In practice that will likely mean retaining the long-serving Keith Downing as assistant and Dean Kiely as goalkeeping coach.

But Sherwood's apparent insistence on having Ferdinand and Ramsey at his side should not pose too much trouble in itself, with Mel's compatriot David Gomez also departing this summer and Under-21 coach David Oldfield leaving for MK Dons on Thursday.